Landmark digital gaming transformation: ADM chooses 46 partners to shape the sector's tomorrow.

The Italian online gaming sector stands on the brink of a significant transformation. The Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) has recently completed the initial screening round for awarding fresh concessions. A select group of 46 operators has been approved to advance, featuring prominent brands like 888 Italy, Betfair Italy, Sisal, William Hill Malta and LeoVegas. This decision is deliberate: by favoring entities with proven technological and financial stability, the focus shifts toward cultivating a more secure, clear, and conscientious marketplace. The directive is evident: the destiny of gaming in Italy lies with those capable of ensuring superior standards and safeguards for participants.

A swift schedule for transformation

The clock is already ticking. Existing licenses are set to lapse on September 17, 2025, with a potential short extension through the 30th of that month. In the interim, ADM will finalize its technical and financial assessment of the chosen firms by July. Successful candidates must then promptly submit the initial concession installment—4 million—and demonstrate they hold a minimum of 3.7 million in accessible funds. Agreements will be inked in August and September to prevent any interruption in operations, ensuring the gaming terminals continue to function without a hitch.

Technology at the center of the new era

The transformation goes beyond paperwork: chosen operators must implement cutting-edge digital infrastructure that seamlessly connects with ADM’s protected platform. A six-month adaptation phase is planned, aiming for complete deployment by March 2026. During this interval, legacy and modern systems will operate in tandem, ensuring uninterrupted service for users. Upon completion, the firms are required to submit the second licensing payment – 3 million euros – finalizing their formal integration into the newly structured gaming landscape.

Enhanced player safeguards and more rigorous regulations

A central aspect of the new regulatory changes focuses on the administration of player accounts. Customers will be permitted to migrate their accounts to a different licensed provider, subject to fiscal compliance and necessary prior approval. Operators excluded from the market are required to shut down all user accounts by August 17, 2025, while reimbursing all client balances. Unclaimed funds remaining after a two-month period will be transferred to the national treasury. Furthermore, the submission of weekly reports detailing account activity will become compulsory, and firms must convert into joint-stock companies (S.p.A.) before securing operating concessions. The objective is evident: fostering a betting sector that is more transparent, secure, and viable, while still prioritizing the principles of responsible entertainment.